The strategy was previously employed by Stephen House, chief constable of the new force, when he was in charge of Strathclyde Police.

Hundreds of backroom officers, including senior staff, will be expected to spend at least one eight-hour shift per month on the beat to help spearhead the Scottish capital’s Campaign Against Violence (CAV).

The normally desk-bound officers will team up with front-line colleagues to target alcohol-related violence, often carrying out city centre patrols on Friday and Saturday nights.

Chief Supt Williams said the aim was to "hit the ground running". He added that the number of officers in Edinburgh would be unchanged following the merger of the country’s eight forces, while efforts would be made to step up the number of policemen on the street.

He said a trial run of the campaign had been held in recent weeks and was a "huge success", adding: “Officers in back offices will get the chance to put on a yellow jacket to help get all our resources on to the street. It's a really good way of putting out a highly visible presence."

Meanwhile, Operation Arable, a crackdown launched in February last year to combat a surge in assault and robberies in Edinburgh, will patrol hotspots.

The operation was cited as a major factor behind a 30 per cent drop in street muggings, and will become a permanent fixture of city policing.

Chief Supt Williams said that the creation of other new specialist units was aimed at targeting key offences with "renewed vigour".

He added: “We will be particularly focused on alcohol-related violence, domestic abuse and sexual crimes, particularly rape. These are vital strands of policing because they have such an impact on the vulnerability of individuals. For domestic abuse, we will be better able to target perpetrators of these crimes and provide greater support to victims."

The emphasis on tackling violence and disorder will also see an expansion of the licensing section, whose duties now include a much higher number of visits to licensed establishments.

Chief Supt Williams said: "Edinburgh has a vibrant night-time economy, but unfortunately alcohol-related violence can go hand in hand with that. People can expect to see more visits by licensing officers to pubs and clubs."

Mr House has promised a nationwide crackdown on organised crime and domestic abuse